Steerable jet propeller boat



Jan. 26, 1954 T. w. LEF KOWSKI STEERABLE JET PROPELLER BOAT 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 7904448 144 L EP/(O ws/(l Filed May 12, 1948 4r TORA/EY Jan. 26, 1954 w, L owsm 2,667,141

STEERABLE JET PROPELLER BOAT Filed May 12, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR. 77/0/1445 W L EP/m ws/r/ ATTOANE) Patented Jan. 26, 1954 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The invention relates to propulsion means for toy boats and similarfloating articles, adapted to travel on water, and of the jet typeembodying a suitable actuator steam boiler adapted for automatic intakeand discharge of water received through a tube or tubes having theirouter end or ends submerged in the water during operation of the toy.

The invention has for an object, in toys of this nature, toprovidesimple and efiicient means for effecting the propulsion of the craft,said means being readily adaptable particularly to toy craft, forexample, for use as an outboard motor member, and in a manner to allowof variously maneuvering the craft.

A further object of the invention is to provide discharge means from theboiler, which itself embodies novel features, whereby also the steeringof the craft is effected.

A still further object of the invention is to locate a heating means forthe boiler eccentrical- 1y with respect to the under surface of thesame; and also toprovide heating means, the burner nozzle portion ofwhich may be adjusted relatively to said under surface for control ofthe speed of the boat.

Another object of the invention is to associate manually actuatedignition means with the burner nozzle.

The invention has for an object, also, propulsion means which do notbecome an integral part of a hull but may conveniently be locatedvariously on the deck thereof so that the hull need not be constructedof metal.

In the usual form of propulsion means utilized in craft of the aforesaidtype and due to the fact that the heat delivered is critical, boilermembers as heretofore constructed vibrate irregularly and are likely toflood with water and cause choking and temporary stoppage until enoughwater has been changed into steam to continue operation, or until theboiler runs dry bringing the operation to an end.

When using fuel such as alcohol in jellified or tablet form, this rapidtermination of the boiler operation was not so objectionable since it isnot diflicult to supplement the fuel. However, when liquid fuel isutilized which permits periods of operation extended from severalminutes to half an hour or more, it becomes necessary that the intake ofthe water be regulated to prevent this flooding, together with a heatcontrol to obviate running dry the boiler.

To this end it is proposed to provide a novel discharge member ormembers in the nature of a resilient tip or tips, as of rubber, withconstricted outlet portion; also, to provide a novel membrane for theboiler element designed to oscillate in varying sections according tothe degree of heat applied to the boiler. By this expedient, each timewater is drawn into the boiler through a tube, a portion of theresilient discharge tip thereof will be compressed to slow down theintake, thus preventing flooding of the boiler. However, if the usualtype of boiler closure membrane were used, the boiler would then run dryeven more quickly since the atmospheric pressure affects the wholesurface of the membrane which oscillates then as a single unit to forceconsiderable amounts of the water at a time from the boiler.

By constructing the membrane in the manner proposed herein, the latteroperates in sections according to the degree of heat supplied so thatonly as much of the total area is activated to oscillate as required inaccordance with the propulsion system. The construction of the diaphragmto this end is such, preferably, that the oscillations spread from thecenter thereof radially outwardly in widening circles. This diaphragmconstruction permits, also, of speed regulation through adjustment ofthe heating means associated with the boiler, the membrane reactingimmediately upon any change in the heat conditions, which may be readilyadjusted to prevent premature running dry of the boiler.

The effect of the resilient tip of the tube on the discharge of waterfrom the boiler is to create a temporary overpressure of steam toaugment the thrust of the jet through contraction of an expanded tip andwill thus extend the period of oscillation of the diaphragm. Inconstricting the end of the resilient tip, the jet pipe as a whole maybe materially shortened.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood whendescribed in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a hull equipped with the novel actuatorand steering means unit.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof and shows also, in broken lines, the jetor discharge means and boiler adjusted bodily to a different angularposition relative to the longitudinal axis of the boat.

Fig. 3 is a stern view of a boat equipped with the novel unit.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse section of the boiler on an enlargedscale.

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary elevations of jibe-tip portion of the jetintakeand discharge means, the dotted line positions generallyindicating the shape assumed respectively during discharge and duringintake of water.

Fig. '7 is a side elevation illustrating a modifica tion in the boilerand jet intake and discharge means combination, and a cabin elementbeing indicated in dotted lines over the actuator portion.

Fig. 8, is a, plan, view thereof, and, Fig. 9 a stern view.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the actuator, jetintake and discharge means unit of Figs. 8 and 9 mounted as an outboardmotor device.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating,

automatic lighting means associated with the burner of the actuator.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view partly in section illustrating means formounting the fuel supply. tank with burner in a manner to adjust thelatter toward and away from the boiler.

Referring to the drawings, one; embodimentof the. invention is indicatediin Figs. 143', inclusive, this particular form of" the" invention.including multiple jet meansconnected with an actuator or flash typeof'boiler commonthereto, the arrangement being such that the jet. meansand boiler, as well as. a fuel supplying means: for providing heat tothe boiler, constitute a, single-unit. Thus, such unit may be attachedconveniently to=the deck III of a craft, shown in the: particularembodiment as a solid 'hull- Hr such-as of wood-: or other buoyantmaterial, the jet means depending from the boiler at the stern'of thehull with outlets designed to be submerged: in the: water in which thecraft floats. It is'understood, of course, that the unit may belocatedonthe deck otherwise than as shown for various maneuvering of the craft,for example,at the-bow to operate the craft backwards, or along the sideof the hull for obtaining angular propulsion of the craft.

As indicated, the jet means which comprise three rigid tubular membersI2" with tips, I32 of resilient material are directly: connected? to thecircular actuator member l.4"'and"eccentrica1ly thereof, being suspendedtherefrom to move as; a unit therewith in steering the craft; The jetmeans preferably enter the boiler at different levels.

A handle member l5 maybe attached to the top of the actuator orboilermember l 4"to= ad just the same angularly; and the saidboiler tothis end is mounted torotate upon arod' I16 which extends upwardly fromthesupporting plate i't' of the unit. It is preferred to provideaboutthe rod a bushing 18 to afford: a bearing fora sleeve t9 integral withthe under surface: 20: of the boiler 14, there being suflicient-frictionbetween said sleeve and rod to retain the jets in thedesired adjustedlocation.

The necessary heat for operating the boiler is providedbya-burnernozzle:- 21 connected withaa fuel tank 22 mounted to rock ina. plane: normal to the deck whereby-the-degree'of: heat applied to theunder surface 2U of-theboiler 'l-4imay. be,

variedin accordance with theposition of? the nozzle. Thus,- brackets23;v extendingupwardly from the plate I-I'serve to mount thecylindric'al fuel tank 22, with filling cap 24 provided at the top ofthe tank; Tank-22 'car-riesalso' a' rearwardly directed arm 25 designedto enga'gethe free end'ofan-adjustablescrewlt mountedi in a furtherbracket 21 extending upwardlyfrom the plate, the saidscrew beingprovided witha manipulating head 28 whereby, in= accordance with"- theadjustment of said screw, the fuel tank will be rocked to vary theposition of burner nozzle 2| with respect to the under surface 20 of theboiler.

The boiler itself is in the form of a pan-shaped casing, Fig. 4, closedat the top by a flexible circular diaphragm 3!! held to the casingaround its circumference, said diaphragm, however, being provided withconcentric circular scorings or weakening incisions 3| on its outersurface and similar-scorings, 32 on, theinner surface of said diaphragm,the latter scorings being positioned intermediate the former. Thisafiords a diaphragm which will bend uniformly, generally in all,-direotlons, to oscillate in sections, said oscillations starting fromthe center of the diaphragm, for example, and spreading in wideningcircles i i-accordance with the intensity of heat applied to the boiler,the diaphragm reacting immediately upon any change in heat conditions.Thus, with only a small amount of heat applied, only the centralportion.will; vibrate. and not. until the maximum heat is, applied: will theoscillations continueto-the circumference of the diaphragm. Such adiaphragm; due to; its enhanced amplitude, greatly increases theefiiciency of operation and will produce a deeper sound effect ofdischarge.

By providing for a multiplicity of the. jet pipes comprising theelements i2--l 3, greater flexibility is imparted to. the systempermitting of greater constriction of the outlets of'thetips I13, whichin turn will tend to increase the speed developed by the unit. Suchconstriction, indicated at 33 at the discharge end ofv the flexible tipvportion [3, will serve to check the intake, of. water through the jetpipe through contraction asa result of compression of" the portion !3,as indicated in the dotted line position, Fig; 6, so that flooding ofthe=boilerisprevented; and the discharge from the boiler will beretarded initially to expand the portion [3: as. indicated in: thedotted position, Fig: 5, and enable temporarily the creation of excesspressure of steam in the boiler to accelerate with the resiliency actionof thetip the discharge of steam and water, as well as prolong theperiod and smooth out the shock of discharge from a tip.

have discovered, also, that for best efliciency of thesystem a certainrelation must exist between the area of the diaphragm 30, number of thejet means, and the area of 'the exhaust orifices of atip' It; A very.satisfactory.- result is attained with an. area ratio of ten to onebetween mem: brane and orifice. It is desirable .for best results thatthe number of these jetmeansbe increased withincrease of= diaphragmareasoas to maintain as small aspossible theexhaust' orifices soessential=in developing speed; By. increasing the numberoff tubes, theirlength may-be materially decreased; both; of which increases the,frequency offthe diaphragm oscillationsand' the efficiency: ofthesystem.

Referring to Figs; 7-9,; inclusive, amodification is indicated in thelocation-of: the boiler member 35-'and its mounting: ln this particularembodiment; the jet tube 3.6; is indicated. as. passing through the hulk37, the" boiler being: supported on the-plate 38 through-a tube39-whichalso-extends partlyinto the hull to receivetheinner end ofthe-.jet tube=36; The latter is provided over its exteriorwitlrandntegral'ring portion 4.0 as a stop forengagingthe outerend oftube39 into which the jet tube 3t: telescopes tobring its, inner endsubstantially'flush'with the bottom of boiler 35. The-fit between tube39: and jet tube 36 is a: frictional one permitting-the former to=rotate-in a horizontal plane to change the direction of discharge fromthe tip 4| to suit the desired steering of the craft. It will be notedalso that tube 39 is mounted eccentrically with respect to the boiler35, thus permitting better distribution of heat from the burner nozzle42 communicating with a fuel supply tank 43-all carried by a plate 38. Ahousing or simulation of a cabin 44 may be provided over the entirepower mechanism, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 7, and full lines,Figs. 8 and 9.

Also, as indicated in Fig. 10, the entire unit may be utilized as anoutboard propulsion means at the stern of the craft by merely securingthe plate 38 to the deck with a portion thereof overhanging the stern.In all the embodiments, the arrangement is such that the fuel supplytank with burner nozzle may be located ahead of the boiler, in thedirection of travel, so that the maximum amount of heat developed isapplicable to the boiler.

The heating means, being of a nature to utilize liquid fuel contained ina tank 50, Fig. 11, feeding a wick member 5|, lends itself to the use ofautomatic ignition means therefor such as the pyrophoric alloy type. -Asindicated, this may comprise a sparking wheel 52 engaging the alloymaterial in proximity to the wick 5|, said wheel 52 being engaged by arack member 53 conveniently actuated by a spring cable combinationhaving the manually operated button 54 and digital grip 55, as is wellunderstood.

I claim:

The combination with a power-propelled boat;

of a propulsion unit therefor comprising a flashtype boiler forconverting water into steam and provided with an outlet, said boilerbeing adapted for horizontal disposition over the boat deck, a burnerlocated on the deck including an element with outlet for directing aflame beneath the boiler, a sleeve extending upwardly of the decksubstantially in the steering axis of the boat with its upper endsupporting the boiler at its outlet for communication with the interiorthereof, immersible jet pipe means extending at one end into the sleevefor complete rotation therein as a unit about an axis normal to the boatdeck, the immersed portion of the jet pipe means serving also as arudder in steering the boat and whereby the boat may be displacedlaterally as well as steered in all directions.

THOMAS W. LEPKOWSKI.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,237,674 Moiseeff Aug. 21, 1917 1,596,934 MoHugh, et a1 Aug.24, 1926 1,629,767 Valdes May 24, 1.927 1,993,670 Jones, Jr., et al.Mar. 5, 1935 1,997,421 Lindstrom Apr. 9, 1935 2,431,132 Malina (NOV. 18,1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 287,510 Great Britain Oct. 22,1928 375,616 Great Britain June 30, 1932

